Why 13 Reasons Why is f***ing important and you should go and watch it now ﻿

The world has been taken by storm with the new season, “13 Reasons Why” which was released on Netflix earlier this month. Based on the book by Jay Asher, 13 Reasons Why is about Hannah, who has committed suicide and has left behind tape recordings for her old friend, Clay, with the 13 reasons why she did it. In these tapes, she opens up to Clay about what was going on in her life, the people that have wronged her and the events which ultimately led up to her taking her own life. But it’s not all as it seems as these tapes have a far more profound effect on not just Clay but a whole group of kids from their school. Sounds good right? Sounds gripping and shocking? It is. It’s also the most important show I’ve ever watched in my life.

13 Reasons Why is good; it’s a fantastically made show with a great bunch of actors, a gripping storyline, cliff-hangers, shocks, laughs, tears – you name it, it’s got it. What it also has, is some invaluable messages and lessons to be learnt from it. At first, it might seem like your very typical teenage angst type show with it’s typical high school problems but once you strip it back, it’s a hell of a lot more than that. Here are my 13 reasons why 13 Reasons Why is really, really, really important and what it teaches you in those 13 short episodes:

You don’t know what is going on in someone else’s life. Even someone you’re close to.

You will never know how someone is going to react to something; just because it’s minor to you, doesn’t mean it necessarily will be for them.

Your issue with a person might be adding to the 18 issues they already have.

So bare that in mind before you say that mean thing. Calling someone fat / ugly / useless doesn’t make you any better.

Be a bit more wary of your actions.

Your problems aren’t better or worse or more important or bigger or more tragic than anyone else’s – they’re just different. And they’re all valid.

It’s never a waste of time to learn the important warning signs of depression and suicidal thoughts; for yourself and for someone else.

It’s also never a waste of time to seek help and to keep seeking help until you find something that works for you.

If someone is crying out for help, listen to them. Don’t dismiss their thoughts and feelings as “attention seeking“.

It’s important to have friends / acquaintances / someone to talk to. Just 1 person.

School is important but not to be-all and end-all of your existence.

If you want to tell someone something, tell me. Do it now.

Above all else, just be a little bit kinder to people.

13 Reasons Why is heart-breaking. Entertainment wise, it’s top notch but under all that, it’s heart-breaking in every way possible. Hannah was crying out for help for so long and nobody fucking noticed and the thing that pains me the most about it is that it happens, to real people every fucking day and that needs to be addressed. In a world where it’s so damn easy to be anonymous, to say mean things without ever getting found out, to judge people left right and centre from behind a computer screen, it’s so important that media like this exists. So if you need something to fill some time or a new show to binge watch this weekend, please, make it this one.

I really want to watch this- heard so many amazing things about it but kind of want to read the book first. I might just watch it anyway! Anything that promotes mental health awareness is a win in my book!

I’ve been meaning to watch it and this post has definitely made me want to watch it right his second! I’m so annoyed that my VPN has blocked Netflix in china now so I’ll have to wait until July 😦 But I love the way you have written this post, a great read.

I’m 6 episodes through the series right now! I am completely hooked! It is an absolutely incredible series, the acting is frankly amazing and the messages hit home so so hard! I can understand why it is quite triggering for some people, but if you’re able to, it’s definitely worth the watch!

Yes absolutely it’s so triggering, there was plenty that made me feel so anxious and one scene I couldn’t watch at all at first (the suicide – but then I went back on the episode the next day on my own and watched it because I kinda felt like I owed it to Hannah. I know that sounds silly but yeah). I love that they sugar coated NOTHING xx

I haven’t watched the show yet but I’ve heard so much about it. Your blog has really inspired me to watch it. I love your passion for an important topic that is too often swept under the rug and sugarcoated. Thank you for this x

This post is bloody fantastic, I’m so glad you’ve put contact details in there. I haven’t watched this yet (I’m dying to though) but I’ve heard how hard-hitting it is, and I’m hoping it’ll change how people think about treating others.

I really hope you enjoy it when you do watch it! It is truly incredible, I’m currently watching it for the second time! I finished it and couldn’t get it out of my head for days. I hope it has that effect on those watching it, too.

I was a little late to the party too, to be honest! I saw it on Netflix so much but didn’t know what it was or what it was about so just kept scrolling. It was social media that encouraged me to watch it! I hope you enjoy it 🙂

I have a post coming up on Wednesday about this show, and was really intrigued about reading this post. I’ve not watched it due to different things I’ve heard about it, but I’m glad it’s informative for people!

People can relate to so many different things in this show – not just the really serious stuff. Like the friendship troubles, school troubles, home lives – everything. It’s so relateable and that’s why it’s important. But they are good with trigger warnings – there’s a notice before an episode with something a bit more darker than some people might be triggered by and I was really impressed with that with this show, it shows good initiative. I would definitely recommend watching, you can ask anyone who’s seen it if there’s any other particular episodes to be wary of too.

Yes!
13 Reasons Why was such a real and hard hitting show. They touched on a lot of not talked about topics!
I definitely laughed and cried a lot during it. Such important messages to get across!
PaleGirlRambling xo

Fantastic post! I binged watched this as soon as it came out and I have never been so emotional. Have you seen the making of episode that is on after it? It talks about they make you deliberately feel uncomfortable watching some of the very real and difficult scenes so that we learn what we’re doing wrong as a society by just sweeping it under the rug xxx

I’m so looking forward to watching this show! I read the book, years ago, and had chills just reading the book. I feel like it’s so important, and I hope teens watch the show and take from it all the important lessons!

I haven’t read the book and after seeing the show I don’t think I want to tbh! I’ve heard they change a few things (the method Hannah uses to kill herself for example) but I hope you love it as much as I did!

I agree so much with this. I read the book years ago and it left me an emotional wreck. So if course I had to binge the tv shows. Personally it was a little over shelling to binge but I got to say it us must watch. Well if that is if you can stomach it. If not I think reading the book is as just as good or not better

Yeah I agree – I haven’t read the book (I actually hadn’t even heard of it until last year and even then, I just popped it on my “to-read” list on Goodreads and didn’t think anything else of it after that) but after watching the show, I don’t really want to but if you are particularly sensitive and don’t want to SEE what happens, it’s a great alternative to have so you don’t miss out on the importance of the story.

I have heard so much about this TV show. Kirsty, the other half of the blog, has watched and loved it. She highly recommends it. I know I really need to watch it but your post defo helps to convince. Thanks for sharing! xx corinne

I completely agree, bullying and suicide are two things I don’t think get enough presentation in the media and 13 reasons why is a way of showing just how hard someone may have it without showing it. Great post xx